Brilliant batch-cooking tips to get organised this weekend


We all need a few batch-cook recipes to fall back on when life gets hectic. And with a little forward planning, it’s easy to prepare food that stretches beyond just one meal. You’ll save money, reduce waste and be ahead for busy days. Our top tips and ideas will make the process easier and more efficient, from how to make the most of your freezer space to base recipes for several different meals and what dishes won’t keep well. Read on and be inspired!




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.


When you’re batch-cooking, a good supply of plastic lidded boxes is a must. Check what you have – do boxes still have a lid which fits and what sizes are they? You may also want freezer bags (which are also space-savers) and some re-usable foil containers (bake and freeze dishes in the foil containers for extra ease too). “Pour and store” plastic freezer bags have a solid base so they are perfect for soups and sauces.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.


If you’re planning a whole day in the kitchen, it’s time to channel your inner chef and be organised. Check all your knives are sharp enough – blunt knives slow you down and increase the chances of cutting yourself. Get out all the ingredients you need for the recipe, sort out the pans you’re going to use, then prepare all the ingredients before you begin. Clear and clean as you go.




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When you are elbows deep in chopping onions, carrots and celery, or making a large batch of curry paste or pesto, hand the job over to the workhorse food processor to do the job in minutes. Equally if you have lots of carrots or cheese to grate, use the grating plate attachment. Making soup or purées? An inexpensive stick blender will give a smoother result and you can blend it in the pan, to save time and washing up.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.


A curry or a chilli con carne will usually taste better the day after you’ve made it, as all the spices have had time to really infuse into the sauce. Freezing also intensifies flavour which is, of course, a good thing. But it’s something to keep in mind when seasoning or adding heat. Salt and chilli will become stronger upon freezing, so you may want to reduce the amount, then add it later after reheating and tasting.




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If you’re freezing food in plastic bags, get rid of as much air as possible by pushing and flattening the ingredients before sealing. This helps to prevent freezer burn – this is when ice crystals form on frozen food if air gets into it in the freezer. It isn’t harmful but will affect the texture, colour and flavour of the food. If you’re freezing in lidded boxes, a layer of baking paper over the surface of the food will also create an extra barrier.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.


There are some recipes which just don’t work for batch-cooking or making ahead of time. Stir-fries are a perfect example, where the whole point is the freshness and crunch of the vegetables. Noodles also become slimy if not served fresh. If your dish takes 15 minutes to get on the table, save your batch-cooking for meals which involve more prep and cooking time.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.




Microsoft and partners may be compensated if you purchase something through recommended links in this article.


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